GROUP … Representatives for our local area stand with Assistant Event Director Trenton Coleman during Operation Homecoming. Names provided left to right. Ohio State Representative Jim Hoops, Wauseon Mayor Kathy Huner, Assistant Event Director Trenton Coleman, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Fulton County Commissioners Jeff Rupp.
BAZOOKA … Students, under supervision, were able to hold and learn about some of weaponry and equipment used by soldiers in WWII.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
Operation Homecoming: A WWII Exhibition kicked off this past weekend at Homecoming Park in Wauseon. The three-day event began on Friday, May 2 with a special educational opportunity for students from Wauseon, Evergreen, Fayette, and Swanton schools.
More than 500 students participated in a living history field trip featuring an immersive WWII camp staffed by volunteer reenactors.
The reenactors, who traveled from all over, shared their extensive knowledge of World War II and life in the 1940s.
In addition to the camp experience students also visited educational displays hosted by local historical societies, including the Fulton County Historical Society, Bean Creek Valley History Center, Lyons Historical Society, and Metamora Historical Society. These groups focused on sharing the story of WWII from the Homefront perspective.
The Fulton County Amateur Radio Club also joined the event and demonstrated vintage radio equipment used by soldiers during the war.
Students were able to observe real-time radio communications and learn about the critical role these devices played in wartime operations.
A special ceremony was also held during the school day program, featuring remarks from Event Director Matt Martini, Assistant Director Trenton Coleman, Fulton County Commissioner Jeff Rupp, Ohio State Representative Jim Hoops, U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, and Wauseon Mayor Kathy Huner. The speakers each highlighted the importance of preserving history for future generations.
“I have met the most forward-looking young people and magnificent teachers here today. I am glad to know that they are teaching history and teaching our young people how it is that they inherited liberty.”
“It was bequeathed to them and there were reasons that happened in our history. My first major was history and economics and a lot of other things, but I think history embraces us all and it’s critical that we understand it so that we can make the future better than the past.”
“For me being here has been a real lift. It has been an exciting morning, and all these school systems involved, I’ve never seen anything quite like it and I want to congratulate all the adults for making it possible,” Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur.
Throughout the weekend reenactors performed two unique battle scenarios each day, including during the student event.
The first battle at the hill featured a dramatic Allied assault against entrenched German forces with American and British troops working together. The second scenario played out in the woods with a Soviet ambush targeting a German patrol.
These realistic demonstrations gave spectators a glimpse into the tactics and intensity of WWII combat, including some combat that took place with vehicles.
On Saturday, the event expanded to include a vendor area complete with food trucks, merchant booths, historical displays, and even spaces for prayer and reflection.
Guests enjoyed warm meals from on-site food vendors and had the opportunity to shop for WWII-themed merchandise or gather educational materials.
A lantern tour was even held that evening where reenactors and presenters shared stories and historical insights under the glow of lantern light.
Unfortunately, the third day of the event on Sunday, May 4 was cancelled due to inclement weather. However, organizers reported a strong public response with many attendees expressing appreciation and interest in returning next year.
Operation Homecoming is expected to return next year with organizers already working on improvements. A specific date for the 2026 event has not yet been announced.
222 … Students were able to get in and pose with a German SDKFZ 222 (Leichter Panzerspähwagen).
BATTLE … Reenactors from different sides battled it out in two different scenarios during Operation Homecoming.